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Columbus Public Library board reports rising use, staffing strains after first year in new building
Summary
The Columbus Public Library Board told the Columbus City Council its new building drew about 220,000 visits last year, programming attendance rose 31% and staffing remains the library's biggest challenge.
Amy Mancini, president of the Columbus Public Library Board, told the Columbus City Council on Feb. 3 that the board’s annual report shows large increases in use and programming following the library’s move into its new building.
The report shows a door count of about 220,000 visits in the last year and a 31% increase in programming attendance, Mancini said. “This building really is truly a community building,” she said, praising donors, staff and patrons for the gains.
The nut of the board’s presentation was that patronage and services have grown while staffing and retention remain a pinch point. Mancini said the board reviewed and updated every library policy during the year, lowered the age at which children can obtain their own library card, expanded eligibility for electronic library cards and eliminated late fines.
Mancini said staff training and organization changes have been central to the improvements, but turnover has remained a challenge. She reported the library operates with about 14 full-time employees and that staffing all four circulation desks has been difficult compared with peer cities: the board’s materials compare operating-hour costs and full-time-equivalent staffing to nearby libraries.
The board highlighted efficiency: using figures from fiscal year 2021–22 for published comparisons, Mancini said Columbus’ operating cost per hour was about $400 versus $490 in Norfolk and $455 in Fremont. She also described progress on community partnerships, including a project to stock a hospital library with donated books handled by the Friends of the Library.
Mancini acknowledged delays in installing a donor recognition wall and said the library foundation has been reorganized; a new foundation board has selected a vendor and paid a deposit for a commemorative sculpture that is expected to be installed in spring. She said exact timing for the donor wall remained “I can’t give you a date” at the meeting.
Council members asked about donor recognition timing; Mancini said the board is pressing the foundation to complete the work. The presentation closed with council members thanking the board for the report.
The board’s annual report and the plans referenced during the presentation are on file with the Columbus Public Library and the city clerk.
